150 
hinder “horns” are bent inwards, and the openings of the posterior 
tubes appear to be at or near their extremities. 
The egg-cases vary considerably in size and proportion. The 
following table shows the dimensions of some examples, the “ om * 
being measured irrespective of the “ horns.” 
ae (.) | (c.) | (d.) | (e.) | (Ff) | (g-) | (A) 
| | | { | 
| | 
mm. | mm. | mm. | mm. | mm. | mm. | mm. |mm. 
Length sbi sas 249 | 44g 3c) 13Bi/ 9129 194 | LIB) OF 
Breadth .. -. | 66) 86.) 80>) Tao 7810. 74 | ebane eee 
\ \ | | 
The mean dimensions of twenty-nine examples are—length, 132°5 ; 
breadth, 77°6 mm. 
The skate is common along the whole of the east coast, and was 
also taken at the Chatham Islands. It occurred at all depths between 
the extremes of 9 and 105 fathoms. 
ARHYNCHOBATIS, gen. noy. 
No cartilaginous rostral prolongation of the cranium. The pectorals 
continuous in front, but modified to form a small nasal tip. Ventrals 
distinct from pectorals, and deeply notched. Tail long, depressed, 
with well-developed caudal fin, and a fold on each side. A single 
dorsal fin, near extremity of tail. Each nostril with two valves, the 
anterior tube-like, the posterior triangular, the latter pair joined 
medially. 
This genus appears to be allied to Psammobatis, Giinther,* the 
absence of a cartilaginous rostral, and the character of the nasal valves, 
pointing to such connection. It differs in having a distinct caudal 
and but one dorsal fin. 
If, as suggested, the genus is associated with Psammobatis, it forms 
another link in the chain connecting the faunas of New Zealand and 
South America. 
Arhynchobatis asperrimus, sp. nov. 
LONG-TAILED SKATE. 
Plate XX. 
Station 89. 
Preorbital length (or snout) 4°27, length of head 3-08, in that of 
the disc. Interorbital space slightly concave, 3-3, and w idth of mouth 
1-3, in the length of the snout. 
The breadth of the disc is one- -eighth greater than its length, its 
anterior angle is very obtuse, and the tip of the snout just breaks the 
“Gamther, Cat. Fish. Brit. Mus., viii, 1870, p- 470. 
